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Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children is frequently associated with growth interruption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of OSAS and adenotonsillectomy on the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis in children.

Study design: Thirteen prepubertal children (mean age, 6.0 /- 2.8 years) were studied before and after adenotonsillectomy (T&A). Weight, height, overnight polysomnography, and IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 levels were evaluated before and 3 to 12 months after T&A. The children's weights and heights were monitored for 18 months.

Results: The respiratory disturbance index improved from 7.8 /- 9.1 events/h to 1.0 /- 2.1 events/h after T&A (P < .02). Slow-wave sleep increased from 29.1% /- 7.2% to 34.6% /- 9.8% after T&A (P < .02). The weight standard deviation score increased from 0.86 /- 1 to 1.24 /- 0.9, 18 months after T&A (P < .01). Serum IGF-I levels increased from 146.3 /- 76.2 ng/mL before T&A to 210.3 /- 112.5 ng/mL after surgery (P < .01), but IGF-binding protein-3 levels did not change significantly.

Conclusion: The respiratory improvement after T&A in children with OSAS is associated with a significant increase in serum IGF-I levels and weight. We conclude that the IGF-I axis is affected in children with OSAS.

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